Building and curating a stylish and valuable furniture collection depends on expertise, good taste, knowledge, luck, and timing. As with any art, practice is undeniably valuable. This art of collecting your high-quality furniture, contemporary design, and vintage furniture legacy is now easier with our practical tips and advice from Legacy Gallery experts.
The luxury furniture market can seem a daunting world reserved for those with millions to spend on designer pieces by the biggest names in the business. But don’t be intimidated: everyone can access rare furniture items and build a cool collection.
There are thousands of furniture designs among thousands of brands. Over 12 million tons of furniture are pilled into our landfills yearly. So how do you choose?
Be discerning, trust your instinct
"When it goes on the wall, can you live with it? Sometimes of course the question is, could you live without it – and if it’s no, that’s when you really go for something." Norman Ackroyd RA couldn’t make more sense: buy something because you love it!
You are building your furniture collection, so be brave and trust your instincts. There is great satisfaction in leaving a place that reflects your lifestyle, passions, and taste. If you are looking for a piece or design in a particular style, think about renowned artists or items but also exciting emerging artists. You might also need to consider whether the piece survives the test of time or is a trend.
Follow your favourite brands on Instagram
Instagram is an important source of inspiration and forum for designers, brands, galleries, and collectors. To build your furniture collection, follow high-end furniture galleries, vintage online stores, new artists and designers, disruptive 20th—and 21st-century marketplaces, and art or flea fairs.
Image Caption: Jim Carrey's House Auction
Second-hand pieces can be an option.
Pay attention to marketplaces with online auctions like Legacy Gallery, PAD fairs, flea markets like Les Puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris and Cormano Flea Market in Milan, and vintage design trade shows like Design Icons Amsterdam or Brussels Design Market, to find rare furniture items you were searching for.
The dizzying calendar of live and online auctions, international furniture fairs, and the ever-changing global landscape of today’s furniture market presents more opportunities than ever to build a furniture collection.
Image Caption: Brussels Design Market
Remember simple is better
Focus on the design balance with the overall collection and how they blend. It is vital to build a furniture collection as an investment and also as a complete project, where everything blends perfectly.
Yes, it is worth investing in quality furniture. Why?
Long-lasting furniture is for design enthusiasts and collectors who don’t want to compromise durability, style, and quality. Buying designer furniture is really worth it will last a lifetime and it is not uncommon for these pieces to be handed down to generations, creating a legacy and a long-lasting furniture collection that will allow you to save money in the long run.
Timeless style takes patience
You have time to build your furniture collection. High-quality furniture by definition is available in different iterations and retains its value over time. Research, speak to experts, and think about your options. Rather than pandering to specific trends, designer pieces often take months to create, which lends them to timeless aesthetics.
Image Caption: Minlin & Zhi Yi's House
Consider the resale value of your furniture
Luxury furniture, vintage designs, and well-maintained furniture tend to retain value over time, making them valuable assets for building a furniture collection.
The furniture categories that are always worth investing in
Sofa: Invest in an iconic piece made from high-quality materials.
Sideboard: Larger furniture pieces are worth investing in as they become a focal point in many rooms and collections. You don’t have to be an expert to appreciate a well-made piece of renowned furniture, from vintage and neutral to contemporary, colourful, and complex designs.
Armchair: Available in countless sizes, colours, materials, and shapes, an armchair is the piece to start building your furniture collection. It is worth investing in an armchair that will continue to be stylish for many years.
Lamps: Who doesn’t love lamps? It’s never a bad idea to invest in an iconic lamp. Here's what to look for when vintage hunting: function, beauty, and style. A lamp can transform a space with the flick of a switch.
The pieces that will last you a lifetime
Homeowners, treasure hunters, trade buyers, and collectors are purchasing investment pieces for their interiors that will look just as contemporary now as they did when they were first designed.
Many 20th-century design icons have shown extraordinary staying power, but there are also future icons that don’t lose value over time. Think about special editions, unique pieces, small series, first editions, artistic vision, long-lasting materials, innovation and skilled craftsmanship to create a list of pieces that will last you a lifetime.
Learn
Learn the history of your rare items and limited-edition pieces to build a valuable furniture collection.
Conclusion: the art of collecting rare furniture items
What makes a valuable and iconic furniture collection? To Legacy Gallery experts is all about:
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Aesthetics and functionality balance
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Timeless beauty, appeal, versatility, and charm
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High-quality furniture, first editions, special editions, and exclusive collaborations
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Discontinued production or limited-edition examples
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Flea markets star quality
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Unmatched Quality and Craftsmanship
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Unique Character and Story
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Investment Value
The golden rule comes from Marcel Wanders' way of being in the interior and product design industries:
“Designers and people in general are too attracted by ‘new’, but nothing ages more quickly than ‘newness’. All my objects reflect [a] marriage between past and present.”
If you liked this article, you may also like to read: "The Top 10 Most Iconic Items of the 20th Century"
